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2013 Dodge Avenger problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 Dodge Avenger has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 5safety recalls
- 548owner complaints
- 26crash reports
- 10fire reports
- 42injuries reported
548 complaints, against an average of 379 for the other 2 Dodge Avenger model years.
Every Dodge Avenger model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
The components named most often in the 548 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2013 Dodge Avenger owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 548 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2013 Dodge Avenger stall, lose power or shut off while driving?79 owners Ā· 14.4% Ā· Recall 13V552000
- Why is the airbag light on in my 2013 Dodge Avenger?51 owners Ā· 9.3% Ā· Recall 16V668000
- Why does the heater or defroster not work in my 2013 Dodge Avenger?26 owners Ā· 4.7%
- Why does my 2013 Dodge Avenger idle rough, misfire or hesitate?21 owners Ā· 3.8%
- Why won't my 2013 Dodge Avenger start?19 owners Ā· 3.5%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2013 Dodge Avenger?19 owners Ā· 3.5%
Has the 2013 Dodge Avenger been recalled?
5 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Seats: Front Assembly: Head Restraint Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2012 Jeep Liberty and 2012-2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles. A component within the occupant restraint controller (ORC) may fail and prevent the active headrests from deploying in the event of a rear-end crash.
Risk: If the active headrests do not deploy in certain rear-end crashes, the front seat occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ORC as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on December 4, 2017. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is T56.
Seat Belts: Pretensioner Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Risk: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Engine Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2013 Dodge Avenger and Chrysler 200, and model year 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot vehicles equipped with 2.4L engines. Due to abrasive debris in the balance shaft bearings, these engines may have a loss of engine oil pressure, possibly resulting in an engine stall or engine failure.
Risk: If the engine stalls while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine balance shaft module, free of charge. The recall began on December 24, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N52.
Electrical System Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Sebring and 200 vehicles manufactured June 28, 2011, through December 13, 2012; model year 2011-2013 Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured June 25, 2011, through January 14, 2013; model year 2011-2012 Dodge Nitro vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through December 15, 2011; and model year 2011-2012 Jeep Liberty vehicles manufactured June 17, 2011, through August 15, 2012. Electrical over-stress of a resistor in the occupant restraint control module may lead to the non-deployment of the active head restraints during a rear impact collision.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating the deployment of the active head restraints , their non-deployment could increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will flash the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM) or replace the occupant restraint control module, as needed, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N38.
Fuel System, Gasoline Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2013 Chrysler 200 and Dodge Avenger vehicles manufactured from October 30, 2012, through November 2, 2012. These vehicles may have a gas tank that has a broken control valve in the fuel tank assembly.
Risk: A broken control valve in the fuel tank assembly may lead to an engine stall or fuel leakage. An engine stall while driving may contribute to a vehicle crash. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, may result in a fire.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel tank assembly and replace any affected control valves, free of charge. The recall began on April 4, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753.
Is the 2013 Dodge Avenger recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
EU Safety GateThere is an internal fault in the control module for the occupant restraint controller.In the event of an accident involving a rear-end collision, this may lead to the active head restraints not being triggered.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2013 Dodge Avenger owners report?
12 of the 548 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Unknown, all i know is that i leave my car to go play basketball and 3 hours later i come back and its popped out randomly.
Was driving on hwy when vehicle loss power, was able to quickly pull over. Turned vehicle off and restarted vehicle. Got back onto the hwy ,vehicle loss power again, this time it wouldn't turn over. Replaced fuel pump,replaced valve timing sensor, crank sensor, replaced battery, replaced ignition switch and antitheft oem {replaced 5X}, reprogrammed vehicle 3X's, bought new key to program to vehicle. After $1500.00 still not fixed, dealership has had the vehicle for well over a month. The dealership contacted the manufactured company, manufactured company said it was a faulty orc part. Theā¦
Both head rest which is attached to airbags or have airbags in them I donāt know but the exploded open. Headrest could have exploded while someone was in the seat and got head injuries. No problem has not been confirmed by anyone but myself,husband and self employed mechanic, I didnāt know what to do. No, no type of warning before it happen. Passenger one exploded January 2025, driver exploded about May 2025.
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the check engine and oil warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that after releasing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power and eventually stalled. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,625.
Powertrain fail , airbag failed to deploy
The contact owns a 2013 Dodge Avenger. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the interior light turned on independently, the control panel started blinking, and the radio became inoperable. Additionally, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was steered into a parking lot, where it was turned off but failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an electrical failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,829.
2 days after purchasing my vehicle I was driving getting my speed up approximately 45 mph when the vehicle started to lunge forward and nothing was under the gas pedal and it stalled. I pulled it over to the side of the road. It started back up within 2 to 3 minutes. Drove fine for about another 20-25 minutes and then did it again. I put fuel treatment in it. It seemed to drive better the next day but then I did it again. I had it towed to a service department where they did a complete vehicle inspection- no codes were thrown $2500 later- picked up vehicle and later that evening it startsā¦
Window Defrost and Passenger Heat /Air. While either in motion or while driving, no heated air exits the passenger side of the windshield defroster, nor the passenger window defrost, lower and center console vents. Heated air only exits the driver's side windshield and driver's side dash vents. Problem persists through all cabin air modes, and circulations. This safety issue effects visibility and passenger safety by failing to defrost/defog windows and keeping cabin tempuratures near or below freezing during cold weather (blowing cold air into the cabin.
I was driving my car and the active headrests on the driver side and passenger side both deployed prematurely. I wasn't in any collisions and the headrests deployed. It was very unexpected when they went off as i was driving to school it put both my safety and my sisters safety at risk when they deployed. As stated previously i am unsure as to why they went off as i was never involved in any collisions. There were no warning lamps or any messages prior to them deploying.
Beginning in September 2023, my parking brake light would periodically light up even when the parking brake was not engaged. At the time, I didn't think much of it. This persisted until the middle of January 2024. Beginning in mid January 2024, my parking brake light, traction control light, and ABS light were all lit up on my dashboard. I took my vehicle into my mechanic on January 30, 2024 and they diagnosed it as an ABS internal module failure. They said they were unable to make the repair and said that I would need to take it into a Dodge dealership. I then took it to my local Dodgeā¦
The throttle body system keeps failing and causing my ETC light to come on. This causes the car to lose speed and almost stalling while driving. Thus happens out if no where and while driving the car will automatically slow down on it own and won't let me accelerate which is very dangerous when driving on the highway or trying to make a turn and your car stops accelerating. I have had the throttle body replaced multiple times and it never resolves the issue.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2013 DODGE AVENGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT AT 10 MPH, THE DRIVER BEHIND HER WAS ON A CELL PHONE AND REAR ENDED HER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN HER AND THE CONTACT HIT HER HEAD ON THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. THE AIR BAGS ALSO FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE MEDICAL ATTENTION; HOWEVER, SHE STATED THAT SHE DID HAVE PAIN TO HER LOWER SPINE, NECK, AND LEFT SIDE OF HER HEAD. THE OTHER DRIVER DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE; HOWEVER, THEY NEVERā¦
2013 Dodge Avenger: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Dodge Avenger reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 548 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Dodge Avenger; the most common categories were air bags (154, 28.1%), engine (120, 21.9%), electrical system (98, 17.9%). There are 5 safety recalls. 26 complaints mention a crash, 10 mention a fire, 42 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Dodge Avenger?
Across 548 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are air bags (28.1% of complaints), engine (21.9% of complaints), electrical system (17.9% of complaints), seats (10.9% of complaints), seat belts (9.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Dodge Avenger have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2013 Dodge Avenger; the most recent (campaign 17V640000, 2017-10-10) concerns Seats: Front Assembly: Head Restraint. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2013 Dodge Avenger stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
79 of the 548 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Dodge Avenger (14.4%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. A related recall exists: campaign 13V552000 (engine). The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine balance shaft module, free of charge. One owner wrote: "the catalytic converter is making my engine run rough and can't get it inspected because of it. It's costing me more to run the vehicle and I can't afford to get into an accident when the engine stalls." (NHTSA complaint 11654617, April 2025). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the airbag light on in my 2013 Dodge Avenger?
51 of the 548 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Dodge Avenger (9.3%) describe airbag warning lights or airbag faults. A related recall exists: campaign 16V668000 (seat belts: pretensioner). The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. One owner wrote: "The air bag light turns on and off while driving, along with a ding, indicating that there is a problem with the air bag." (NHTSA complaint 11420799, June 2021). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does the heater or defroster not work in my 2013 Dodge Avenger?
26 of the 548 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Dodge Avenger (4.7%) describe the heater or defroster not working. One owner wrote: "The heater in my vehicle continues to not work. Blows out cold air constantly. Unable to defrost my windshield, difficult to see out of a frosted over windshield." (NHTSA complaint 11556432, November 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2013 Dodge Avenger idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
21 of the 548 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Dodge Avenger (3.8%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "Backing out of parking spot car sputtered and died. restarted but once on road the sputtered and died again. horn kept beeping itself after car died. been reading that this is common occurrence in this model. woth no clear resolution from dealer/manufacturer" (NHTSA complaint 11407423, April 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why won't my 2013 Dodge Avenger start?
19 of the 548 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Dodge Avenger (3.5%) describe the car failing to start. One owner wrote: "There are days the car will not start. The engine will try and turn over but never starts. (2) There have been several times while driving the car that the car will just turn off while driving." (NHTSA complaint 11512808, March 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2013 Dodge Avenger?
19 of the 548 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Dodge Avenger (3.5%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Under the hood thereās electric tape holding wires together. Which is illegal. The check engine light came on since I got the car. I canāt fill my gas tank to fill cause the check engine light comes on. So itās at half tank and canāt fill it to fill." (NHTSA complaint 11420438, June 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Avenger
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2013 only.